The renewal of Zack Baun with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 has been a story that gets more attention in the NFL. While previously a special teams player for the New Orleans Saints, Baun was now a pertinent part of the Eagles’ defense, and it looked best under the circumstances.
Baun-who was struggling to find his footing in New Orleans but also found a new lease on his career in Philadelphia. In fact, he said it was as if he had transferred to high schools, where he felt accepted and able to express himself fully. “The people in the building made it really easy for me to transition here,” Baun noted, which obviously was supported by coaches and teammates.
Baun has been nothing short of spectacular in the last few games. In a dominating win over the Dallas Cowboys, 34-6, he racked up eight tackles, including two fumble forces and one recovery. He has racked up 30 tackles and three fumble forces in his last three games, “exploding as one of the league’s top linebackers. His play has been key in the Eagles allowing the fewest yards per game in the NFL at 213.7.”.
Zack Baun Stats
Zack Baun is a professional linebacker currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. Below are his career statistics and relevant details:
Career Overview of Zack Baun
- Position: Linebacker
- Height: 6’3″ (190 cm)
- Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
- Birthdate: December 30, 1996 (27 years old)
- College: University of Wisconsin
- NFL Draft: Selected in the 3rd round, 74th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2020.
| Year | Team | Games Played | Total Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
| 2020 | New Orleans Saints | 15 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | New Orleans Saints | 17 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | New Orleans Saints | 13 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | New Orleans Saints | 17 | 30 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 55 | 2 | 1 |
| Career Total | 71 | 175 | 4.0 | 2 |
Early Journey and College Success of Zack Baun
Zack Baun’s journey to becoming an NFL linebacker is marked by versatility and resilience, beginning in his high school days at Brown Deer High School in Wisconsin.
High School Career
At Brown Deer, Baun did an exemplary job as a dual-threat quarterback, where he could show off his athleticism while throwing for 3,061 yards and rushing for 3,923 yards-all with a total of touchdowns impressive throughout his career: 94 touchdowns, 67 rushing and 27 passing. He was named state Offensive Player of the Year in his senior year when he led the state with 39 rushing touchdowns, averaging 167 rushing yards per game. Although he enjoyed success on offense, he had never played defense before switching to the position in college.
College at Wisconsin
Baun came into the University of Wisconsin football team as a quarterback but shifted to outside linebacker under head coach Paul Chryst. This is basically because the coaching staff realized he had immense potential on the other side of the ball and got inspiration from successful former players like Joe Schobert. Baun only partially got to mature his initial college career. He was to begin with heading to the redshirt Arrow for his freshman year after suffering a broken foot.
By his redshirt senior season in 2019, Baun was making it happen at the field level. His work gained him 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss and ranked him among the nation’s leaders in those categories. He brought home first-team All-Big Ten honors and consensus All-American recognition thereby becoming the first consensus first-team All-American linebacker in Wisconsin’s history. Baun proved to the world that he could adjust hence succeeding in a new role and, at last, made it into the NFL.
Baun’s saga transcends athletic endowments and a would-have-been shortcut by throwing himself to the challenge of overcoming the incapacities and embracing the very lessons he’s learned in football so far.
The New Orleans Chapter of Zack Baun
Baun was drafted in the third round, 74th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, hoping he could blossom into a very promising pass rusher. However, that wasn’t established over his four-year stint with the club, two years being spent on special teams and as a rotational edge defender. Overall, he tallied only 88 tackles in the Big Easy, so many people wondered if he would ever attain draft status.
All of the LBs of the Philadelphia Eagles have seen a lot of change, more so with Zack Baun after the one-year deal he signed in March 2024. Finally, it became a watershed moment in Baun’s life as his coaching staff decided to get him out of his all-time pass-rushing role and turned him into an inside linebacker. It finally came out to be something revolutionary for both him and the team.
Zack Baun’s Transition to Inside Linebacker
Formerly utilized for pass-rushing with the Saints, Baun welcomed the change to off-ball linebacker. He was identified early as a potential fit by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who saw potential in him playing off-ball linebacker. Throughout the offseason practice and training camp activities, Baun has consistently received first-team reps along with Devin White, an indicator of the confidence that exists between members of the coaching staff.
Performance and Impact
Since moving to this place, Baun has become the mainstay of the Eagles. He can be termed as ‘tough’ and ‘high-energy’, qualities coaches always flung open their arms and instantaneously fell in the good books of the fans. During the training camp, Baun was seen reading plays and making crucial tackles that were going to help the Zack Baun Eagles out in the field23. Zack Baun stats are pretty impressive by the middle of November 2024, to wit, team-leading in tackles with 87 and multiple times forcing fumbles plus sacks.
Coaching Support and Group Process
Using Baun as an inside linebacker shows much experience and acquaintance with what defending Fangio has. Fangio’s confidence made Baun achieve the silky smooth flow of his adaptation process. According to Baun, it’s pretty important to feel wanted by the coaching staff and supported because it helped him to eliminate doubts on the field.
Team Chemistry
Baun quickly built a good rapport with his fellow athletes, most notably Nakobe Dean. The two athletes combined to form an intimidating linebackers group that backs up the Eagles’ defense. Speaking to the excellent performance, Dean revealed that the friendly competition between the two to take away takeaways inspires each of them. The within-team rapport sets a setting that fosters growth and success.
Direct Effect in the City of Brotherly Love
The introduction to the Zack Baun’s Eagles was indeed amazing for Baun. In Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, he proclaimed his arrival with a performance that stunned: several tackles with 15 and two sacks, which is what he got in whole four years with the Saints in just one game. That easily can turn into a breakout season.
Defensive Dominance and Recognition
The 2024 season has seen Baun emerge as one of the NFL’s premier defenders. His statistics tell the story of his dominance:
- 102 total tackles (league-leading 64 solo tackles)
- 5 tackles for loss
- 3 forced fumbles
- 2 sacks
- 1 interception
His stellar play earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors following a dominant performance against the Dallas Cowboys, where he forced two fumbles and recovered one in a convincing 34-6 victory.
Who is Zack Buan’s wife?
Zack Baun is married to Ali Baun, formerly known as Ali Duquaine. The couple tied the knot on October 14, 2020, in a ceremony held in New Orleans, Louisiana. They first met while attending the University of Wisconsin, where both were students—Zack played football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and Ali pursued a degree in Communication and Media Studies.
Background of Ali Baun
- Early Life: Ali grew up in West Bend, Wisconsin, and is the daughter of Ed and Gina Duquaine. She has two siblings named A.J. and Brooke.
- Education: She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she developed a strong academic foundation.
- Career: Ali has held various roles, including:
- Lead Resident Relations Coordinator at Steve Brown Apartments
- Marketing and Event Coordinator for Cambridge Winery
- Property Coordinator at WS Development
Their Relationship
Zack and Ali’s relationship blossomed during their college years. Zack expressed his love for Ali on social media, stating, “I married not only my best friend but the love of my life” on their wedding day. Ali shared her joy as well, describing her feelings as being “over the moon” after marrying “the man of my dreams”
Recent Thursday Night Showcase
Zack Baun was at his best and played a really important role during the latest Thursday Night Football, in which the Philadelphia Eagles outsmarted the Washington Commanders 26-18. Baun got three tackles for losses, notched 15 tackles overall, and strolled to a crucial fourth-down stop of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on this night that sealed the win and gave the Zack Baun Eagles their sixth consecutive win.
It was Baun’s best game after his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod and showed how he marked himself in the Eagles’ defense. He showed up all sharp in reading plays and going out to execute tackles solely, but at one notable juncture, he denied Daniels a fourth-down try at the Eagles’ 26-yard line. So far this season, Baun is one of the absolute top inside linebackers in the NFL, with 102 total tackles to lead the league and 64 solo tackles.
Their defense, whose strong soldier is Baun, has really been great this season. The young soldier’s performance not only puts emphasis on his individual talent but also on the general improvement of the Eagles’ entire defensive unit under their head coach, Nick Sirianni, and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Secret Behind the Success
Baun’s transformation can be attributed to several factors:
- Position Change: The move to inside linebacker has allowed him to better utilize his instincts and athleticism
- Scheme Fit: The Eagles’ defensive system maximizes his versatility
- Preparation: His experience as a former quarterback helps him read offenses effectively
- Athletic Ability: His track and basketball background contributes to his exceptional movement skills
Impact on the Eagles’ Success
The Philadelphia Eagles currently stand at 8-2, holding the second seed in the NFC behind the Detroit Lions. Baun’s emergence has been a crucial factor in the team’s defensive success, providing stability and playmaking ability in the middle of the defense.
Looking Ahead
Baun’s story is even more remarkable because he’s achieving this success on a one-year Zack Baun contract worth less than $2 million. With how he’s playing right now, he’s establishing himself for a huge payday in the upcoming offseason.
As the Eagles make a push to appear in the Super Bowl potentially, Baun’s future growth and impact will play a huge role in their success. From a rotational player in New Orleans to becoming a defensive cornerstone in Philadelphia, sometimes simply giving a man the right fit and situation is all that’s needed before he can really bloom.
The transformation of Zack Baun from Saints reserve to Eagles defensive star is one of the most compelling NFL stories of 2024, and his continued excellence suggests that this is just the beginning of his impact in Philadelphia.
FAQ’s
What is Zack Baun Contract currently?
Zack Baun is currently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but specific details about the length and value of his contract are not publicly available in the search results.
What is Zack Baun PFF?
He has been recognized as ProFootballFocus’ highest-graded linebacker for Weeks 8-10 of the 2024 NFL season, showcasing impressive stats including 87 total tackles and two sacks.
Who is Zack Baun’s Wife?
Ali Baun is married to Zack Baun.
Who are Zack Baun’s Parents?
The search results do not provide any information about Zack Baun’s parents or family background.
How much is Zack Baun’s Salary?
While specific salary figures are not disclosed, he is performing at a high level with the Eagles, which may correlate with a competitive salary for an NFL linebacker